Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues

Aging, often considered a result of random cellular damage, can be accurately estimated using DNA methylation profiles, the foundation of pan-tissue epigenetic clocks. Here, we demonstrate the development of universal pan-mammalian clocks, using 11,754 methylation arrays from our Mammalian Methylation Consortium, which encompass 59 tissue types across 185 mammalian species. These predictive models estimate mammalian tissue age with high accuracy (r > 0.96). Age deviations correlate with human mortality risk, mouse somatotropic axis mutations and caloric restriction. We identified specific cytosines with methylation levels that change with age across numerous species. These sites, highly enriched in polycomb repressive complex 2-binding locations, are near genes implicated in mammalian development, cancer, obesity and longevity. Our findings offer new evidence suggesting that aging is evolutionarily conserved and intertwined with developmental processes across all mammals.

Experimental results from x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer utilizing double crystal assembly in Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR)

A double crystal assembly (DCA) for multiple atomic spectra measurements, including helium-like Ar and hydrogen-like Ar, and other impurity lines are applied for the x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer in Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research. The DCA expands measurable wavelengths much wider so that cross comparisons of the ion temperature and toroidal rotation between two different atomic states are possible. The recent experimental comparison studies for the ion temperature and toroidal rotation of helium-like Ar and hydrogen-like Ar from the DCA are reported.

Compressive stress induces collective migration through cytoskeletal remodelling in nasal polyp epithelium

BACKGROUND

Nasal polyps in the nasal cavity and mucous discharge inside the maxillary sinus exhibit compressive stress on the nasal mucosal epithelium. However, there have been only a few studies on how compressive stress impacts the human nasal mucosal epithelium.

METHODOLOGY

We investigated the effect of compressive stress on collective migration, junctional proteins, transepithelial electri- cal resistance, epithelial permeability, and gene expression in well-differentiated normal human nasal epithelial (NHNE) cells and human nasal polyp epithelial (HNPE) cells.

RESULTS

NHNE cells barely showed collective migration at compressive stress up to 150 mmH20. However, HNPE cells showed much greater degree of collective migration at a lower compressive stress of 100 mmH20. The cell migration of HNPE cells sub- jected to 100 mmH2O compression was significantly decreased at day 3 and was recovered to the status prior to the compressive stress by day 7, indicating that HNPE cells are relatively more sensitive to mechanical pressure than NHNE cells. Compressive stress also increased transepithelial electrical resistance and decreased epithelial permeability, indicating that the compressive stress disturbed the structural organization rather than physical interactions between cells. In addition, we found that compressive stress induced gene expressions relevant to airway inflammation and tissue remodelling in HNPE cells.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these findings demonstrate that compressive stress on nasal polyp epithelium is capable of inducing collective migration and induce increased expression of genes related to airway inflammation, innate immunity, and polyp remo- delling, even in the absence of inflammatory mediators.

Progress of x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer utilizing double crystal assembly on KSTAR

The x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) for Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) has been upgraded to increase its performance including measurement capabilities and stable operation. A dual crystal assembly for simultaneous measurements of the helium-like and hydrogen-like Ar spectra is successfully installed for improving measurement capabilities. Using a safety viewing port with an illuminator and removing the XICS control system from the harsh KSTAR tokamak hall for a stable operation are newly performed. The experimental results from the improved XICS are investigated.

Effects of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body disease on subcortical atrophy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Subcortical structures are affected by neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body disease (LBD). Although the co-occurrence of AD and LBD pathologies and their possible interaction have been reported, the effect of AD and LBD on subcortical structures remains unknown. The effects of AD and LBD on subcortical atrophy and their relationship with cognitive dysfunction were investigated.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study recruited 42 patients with pure AD related cognitive impairment (ADCI), 30 patients with pure LBD related cognitive impairment (LBCI), 58 patients with mixed ADCI and LBCI, and 29 normal subjects. A general linear model was used to compare subcortical volume and shape amongst the groups, to investigate the independent and interaction effects of ADCI and LBCI on subcortical shape and volume, and to analyze the relationship between subcortical volume and cognitive dysfunction in each group.

RESULTS

Alzheimer's disease related cognitive impairment and LBCI were independently associated with subcortical atrophies in the hippocampus and amygdala and in the hippocampus and putamen respectively, but their interaction effect was not significant. Compared to the control group, the pure LBCI group exhibited additional local atrophies in the amygdala, caudate and thalamus. Subcortical atrophies correlated differently with cognitive dysfunction according to the underlying causes of cognitive dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The patterns of subcortical atrophies and their correlation with cognitive dysfunction differ according to the underlying AD, LBD or concomitant AD and LBD.

Moderate hearing loss is related with social frailty in a community-dwelling older adults: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS)

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether hearing loss is associated with social frailty in older adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study data. Hearing was measured using of Pure-tone audiometry. Hearing loss was determined based on the average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz in the ear that had better hearing. Social frailty was defined based on the summation of the following 5 social components (1. Neighborhood meeting attendance 2. Talking to friend(s) sometimes 3.Someone gives you love and affection 4. Living alone 5. Meeting someone every day). Participants who had no correspondence to the components were considered non-social frailty; those with 1-2 components were considered social prefrailty; and those having 3 or more components were considered social frailty.

RESULTS

The prevalence of non-social frailty, social prefrailty, social frailty was 27.6%, 60.7% and 11.7% respectively. Of the five questions, two components (Neighborhood meeting attendance and Presence of someone who shows love and affection to the participants) were associated with hearing loss (p < 0.001). Compared to non-social frailty, the odds ratio of social frailty for hearing loss was 2.24 (95% CI 1.48-3.38) after adjusting for age, residential area, economic status, smoking, depressive disorder and MMSE, and 2.17 (95% CI 1.43-3.30) after further adjustments with physical frailty.

CONCLUSION

Hearing loss was associated with social frailty even after controlling confounding factors even including physical frailty.

Calibration methods of X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on KSTAR

The detailed calibration methods and procedure for the X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research device are investigated. A cross comparison from two different diagnostics including the XICS and charge exchange spectrometer is the best option, in particular, when both systems can be operated simultaneously.

Development of wavelength calibration techniques for high-resolution x-ray imaging crystal spectrometers on the EAST tokamak

Newly developed large-area pixelated two-dimensional detector and two-crystal assemblies were deployed for the first time on tokamaks to enable time-resolved Bragg-diffracted x-ray imaging with good framing rate and water-cooling capabilities for in-vacuum long-pulse operations. High-quality helium-like (He-like) and hydrogen-like (H-like) argon spectra have been observed simultaneously for the first time on a single detector for a wide range of plasma parameters to infer both ion temperature and rotation profiles and support studies on spontaneous rotation, impurity transport, and RF physics. Since tokamak plasmas rotate in both the poloidal (θ) and toroidal (ϕ) directions, a reliable wavelength calibration is needed to account for the correct Doppler shift as well as to compute the spectrometer's instrumental function. Ly_α lines emitted from Cd x-ray tubes are proposed to be used as "markers" to provide an in situ calibration of the EAST's X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer systems measuring He- and H-like argon spectra. The first lab test indicated that the X-ray tube can excite strong Ly_α lines at 15 kV voltage and 1 mA current when the crystal is shined for 10 min. Other indirect calibration methods using locked-mode discharge scenarios were also studied as complementary methods.

Imputation of faulty magnetic sensors with coupled Bayesian and Gaussian processes to reconstruct the magnetic equilibrium in real time

A Bayesian with Gaussian process-based numerical method to impute a few missing magnetic signals caused by impaired magnetic probes during tokamak operations is developed such that the real-time reconstruction of magnetic equilibria, whose performance strongly depends on the measured magnetic signals and their intactness, is affected minimally. Likelihood of the Bayesian model constructed with Maxwell's equations, specifically Gauss's law for magnetism and Ampère's law, results in an infinite number of solutions if two or more magnetic signals are missing. This undesirable characteristic of the Bayesian model is remediated by coupling the model with the Gaussian process. Our proposed numerical method infers nine non-consecutive missing magnetic signals correctly in less than 1 ms suitable for the real-time reconstruction of magnetic equilibria during tokamak operations.

Upgrade of X-ray crystal spectrometer for high temperature measurement using neon-like xenon lines on EAST

A two-crystal X-ray spectrometer system has been implemented in the EAST tokamak to simultaneously diagnose high- and low-temperature plasmas using He- and H-like argon spectra. But for future fusion devices like ITER and Chinese Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), argon ions become fully stripped in the core and the intensity of the H-like lines will be significantly at high temperatures (T_e > 5 keV). With increasing auxiliary heating power on EAST, the core plasma temperature could also reach 5 keV and higher. In such conditions, the use of a xenon puff becomes an appropriate choice for both ion-temperature and flow-velocity measurements. A new two-crystal system using a quartz 110 crystal (2d = 4.913 Å) to view He-like argon lines and a quartz 011 crystal (2d = 6.686 Å) to view Ne-like xenon spectra has been deployed on a poloidal X-ray crystal spectrometer. While the He-like argon spectra will be used to measure the plasma temperature in the edge plasma region, the Ne-like xenon spectra will be used for measurement in the hot core. The new crystal arrangement allows a wide temperature measurement ranging from 0.5 to 10 keV or even higher, being the first tests for burning plasmas like ITER and CFETR. The preliminary result of lab-tests, Ne-like xenon lines measurement will be presented.

Dual-graft adult living donor liver transplantation with ABO-incompatible graft: short-term and long-term outcomes

ABO-incompatible (ABOi) dual-graft (DG) adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) is not commonly performed due to its inherently intricate surgical technique and immunological complexity. Therefore, data are lacking on the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of ABOi DG ALDLT. We performed a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of patients who underwent ABOi DG ALDLT between 2008 and 2014. Additionally, computed tomography volumetric analysis was conducted to assess the graft regeneration rate. The mean age of a total of 28 recipients was 50.2 ± 8.5 years, and the mean model for end-stage liver disease score was 12.2 ± 4.6. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rate was 96.4% during the mean follow-up period of 57.0 ± 22.4 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rate was 96.4%, 94.2%, and 92.0%, respectively, and no significant differences were observed between ABO-compatible (ABOc) and ABOi grafts (P = .145). The biliary complication rate showed no significant difference (P = .195) between ABOc and ABOi grafts. Regeneration rates of ABOi grafts were not significantly different from those of ABOc grafts. DG ALDLT with ABOi and ABOc graft combination seems to be a feasible option for expanding the donor pool without additional donor risks.

EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) as a Predicting Tool for Frailty in Older Korean Adults: The Korean Frailty an Aging Cohort Study (KFACS)

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine the cutoff value and efficacy of the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) for predicting frailty.

DESIGN

The EQ-VAS medians (Interquartile Range) were compared and analyzed against the FFI.

PARTICIPANTS

The subjects were 1471 older adults aged 70 to 84 years who had completed both EQ-VAS and Fried Frailty index (FFI) in the first baseline year (2016) of the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.

RESULTS

Of the 1471 subjects,600 were classified as robust, 716 as pre-frail, and 155 as frail. The median EQ-VAS scores were 80.00 (20.00) for robust, 75.00 (25.00) for pre-frail, and 60.00 (25.00) for frail subjects.The medians of all five components of the FFI, weight loss (70.00 vs. 80.00), grip strength (70.00 vs. 80.00), exhaustion (70.00 vs. 80.00), walking velocity (70.00 vs. 80.00), and physical activity (70.00 vs. 80.00), were lower in the abnormal groups. We tested the efficacy of EQ-VAS as a diagnostic tool to predict frailty, and the area under the curve of EQ-VAS was 0.71 withthe optimal cut-off value of 72.

CONCLUSION

EQ-VAS presented negative correlation with FFI, and the optimal cut off value for frailty was 72. These results suggest that EQ-VAS is a valuable tool for assessing frailty andmay be a good predictor of frailty in Korean elderly population.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Patients Older Than Age 70 Years: A Single-Center Experience

Over the past two decades, the age of liver transplantation (LT) recipients has been increasing. We reviewed our experience with LT for patients aged ≥70 years (range: 70-78 years) and investigated the feasibility of performing LT, especially living donor LT (LDLT), for older patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 25 patients (15 LDLT recipients, 10 deceased donor LT recipients) aged ≥70 years who underwent LT from January 2000 to April 2016. Their perioperative morbidity rate was 28.0%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 16.0%; these results were comparable to those of matched patients in their 60s (n = 73; morbidity, p = 0.726; mortality, p = 0.816). For patients in their 70s, the 1- and 5-year patient survival rates were 84.0% and 69.8%, and the 1- and 5-year graft survival rates were 83.5% and 75.1%, respectively. Comparisons of patient and graft survival rates between matched patients in their 60s and 70s showed no statistically significant differences (patient survival, p = 0.372; graft survival, p = 0.183). Our experience suggests that patients aged ≥70 years should not be excluded from LT, or even LDLT, based solely on age and implies that careful selection of recipients and donors as well as meticulous surgical technique are necessary for successful results.

Measurement of the electron and ion temperatures by the x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on joint Texas experimental tokamak

An x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer has been developed on joint Texas experimental tokamak for the measurement of electron and ion temperatures from the K_α spectra of helium-like argon and its satellite lines. A two-dimensional multi-wire proportional counter has been applied to detect the spectra. The electron and ion temperatures have been obtained from the Voigt fitting with the spectra of helium-like argon ions. The profiles of electron and ion temperatures show the dependence on electron density in ohmic plasmas.

Measurement of helium-like and hydrogen-like argon spectra using double-crystal X-ray spectrometers on EAST

A two-crystal assembly was deployed on the tangential X-ray crystal spectrometer to measure both helium-like and hydrogen-like spectra on EAST. High-quality helium-like and hydrogen-like spectra were observed simultaneously for the first time on one detector for a wide range of plasma parameters. Profiles of line-integrated core ion temperatures inferred from two spectra were consistent. Since tungsten was adopted as the upper divertor material, one tungsten line (W XLIV at 4.017 Å) on the short-wavelength side of the Lyman-α line (Lα1) was identified for typical USN discharges, which was diffracted by a He-like crystal (2d = 4.913 Å). Another possible Fe XXV line (1.85 Å) was observed to be located on the long-wavelength side of resonance line (w), which was diffracted from a H-like crystal (2d = 4.5622 Å) on the second order. Be-like argon lines were also observable that fill the detector space between the He-like and H-like spectra.

Experimental results from an X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer utilizing multi-wire proportional counter for KSTAR

The inconsistency of the first experimental results from the X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer for the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research device utilizing a multi-wire proportional counter (MWPC) is clarified after improving the photon-count rate of the data acquisition system for the MWPC and ground loop isolator for the whole spectrometer system. The improved MWPC is successfully applied to pure Ohmic plasmas as well as plasmas with high confinement modes.

Survival Benefit of Early Cancer Detection Through Regular Endoscopic Screening for De Novo Gastric and Colorectal Cancers in Korean Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

De novo malignancy is not uncommon after liver transplantation (LT). Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies in both the Korean general population and LT recipients, and colorectal cancer prevalence is gradually increasing.

METHODS

Among 3690 adult recipients who underwent LT from January 1999 and December 2013, the screening patterns and prognosis of 26 cases of gastric cancer and 22 cases of colorectal cancer were analyzed.

RESULTS

For gastric cancer, the mean patient age was 54.6 ± 6.2 years at LT and 59.5 ± 6.7 years at cancer diagnosis, with a post-transplant interval of 60.2 ± 29.8 months. Patients were divided into regular (n = 18) and non-regular (n = 8) screening groups, with early cancer found in 14 and 0 patients; their 2-year survival rates after cancer diagnosis were 93.1% and 33.3% (P = .006), respectively. Endoscopic resection was successfully performed in 8 patients, all in the regular screening group. For colorectal cancer, the mean patient age was 53.3 ± 6.1 years at LT and 58.1 ± 6.7 years at cancer diagnosis, with a post-transplant interval of 54.3 ± 38.0 months. Patients were divided into regular (n = 19) and non-regular (n = 3) screening groups, with early cancer found in 12 and 0 patients; their 2-year survival rates after cancer diagnosis of 92.3% and 33.3% (P = .003), respectively. Endoscopic resection was successfully performed in 6 patients, all in the regular screening group.

CONCLUSIONS

LT recipients are strongly advised to undergo regular screening studies for various de novo malignancies, especially cancers common in the general population. Regular endoscopic screening contributes to the timely detection of gastric and colorectal cancers, improving post-treatment survival outcomes.

Liver transplantation for "very early" intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: International retrospective study supporting a prospective assessment

The presence of an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) in a cirrhotic liver is a contraindication for liver transplantation in most centers worldwide. Recent investigations have shown that "very early" iCCA (single tumors ≤2 cm) may have acceptable results after liver transplantation. This study further evaluates this finding in a larger international multicenter cohort. The study group was composed of those patients who were transplanted for hepatocellular carcinoma or decompensated cirrhosis and found to have an iCCA at explant pathology. Patients were divided into those with "very early" iCCA and those with "advanced" disease (single tumor >2 cm or multifocal disease). Between January 2000 and December 2013, 81 patients were found to have an iCCA at explant; 33 had separate nodules of iCCA and hepatocellular carcinoma, and 48 had only iCCA (study group). Within the study group, 15/48 (31%) constituted the "very early" iCCA group and 33/48 (69%) the "advanced" group. There were no significant differences between groups in preoperative characteristics. At explant, the median size of the largest tumor was larger in the "advanced" group (3.1 [2.5-4.4] versus 1.6 [1.5-1.8]). After a median follow-up of 35 (13.5-76.4) months, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year cumulative risks of recurrence were, respectively, 7%, 18%, and 18% in the very early iCCA group versus 30%, 47%, and 61% in the advanced iCCA group, P = 0.01. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year actuarial survival rates were, respectively, 93%, 84%, and 65% in the very early iCCA group versus 79%, 50%, and 45% in the advanced iCCA group, P = 0.02.

CONCLUSION

Patients with cirrhosis and very early iCCA may become candidates for liver transplantation; a prospective multicenter clinical trial is needed to further confirm these results. (Hepatology 2016;64:1178-1188).

The association between perceived unmet medical need and mental health among the Republic of Korea Armed Forces

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the effect of unmet medical need on the mental health of Republic of Korea (ROK) Armed Forces personnel, as most of the service members work in remote areas and often experience such unmet needs.

METHODS

This study used secondary data from the 2014 Military Health Survey (MHS), conducted by the ROK School of Military Medicine and designed to collect military health determinants. Descriptive statistics showed the general characteristics of the study populations by variable. We specifically compared the population after stratifying participants by suicide ideation. An analysis of variance was also carried out to compare Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 10 Scores. Additionally, dependent spouses and children of both active-duty service members and retirees are included among those entitled to Military Health System healthcare.

RESULTS

Among the 4967 military personnel, 681 (13.7%) individuals reported an experience of unmet medical need within the past 12 months and gave reasons of 'no time (5.15%)', 'long office wait (2.6%)', 'no money (0.22%)', 'long distance from base (1.19%)', 'illness but not very serious (1.65%)', 'mistrust in doctors (1.95%)' and 'pressure due to performance appraisal (0.95%)'. Regression analysis revealed that unmet medical need was significantly associated with negative mental health (β=1.753, p<0.0001) and increased suicide ideation (OR=2.649, 95% CI 1.84 to 3.82). Also, soldiers reporting unmet medical need due to 'no money', 'no time' or 'pressure due to performance appraisal' were significantly more likely to experience similar negative mental health effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that unmet medical need is significantly associated with soldiers' mental health decline and suicide ideation, highlighting the importance of providing military personnel with timely, affordable and sufficient medical care.

Donor Safety and Recipient Liver Function After Right-Lobe Liver Transplantation From Living Donors With Gilbert Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Donor safety is the most important aspect in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Gilbert syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition that is a common cause of isolated unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, and its prevalence is not negligibly low in the general population. This study intended to assess donor safety and recipient liver function after LDLT with the use of right liver grafts from living donors with Gilbert syndrome.

METHODS

Among 2,140 right liver transplantations performed from January 2002 to December 20113 at our institution, we identified 12 living donors (0.6%) who showed a preoperative serum total bilirubin level of ≥2 mg/dL. These donors were clinically diagnosed with Gilbert syndrome. The clinical outcomes of these donors and their recipients were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean donor age was 24.6 ± 7.1 years, and 11 donors were male. All subjects met the preoperative evaluation conditions for right liver donation except for the level of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The mean serum total bilirubin level of the donors was 2.23 ± 0.20 mg/dL before and 1.79 ± 0.61 mg/dL 1 year after right liver donation. The preoperative donor direct bilirubin level was 0.43 ± 0.19 mg/dL. The preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes was 8.2 ± 2.8%. All donors and recipients recovered uneventfully and were alive at the time of writing. The recipient serum total bilirubin level was 1.29 ± 0.47 mg/dL 1 year after LDLT.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that LDLT with living donors with Gilbert syndrome can be safely performed, but that a meticulous preoperative evaluation is vital to maximize donor safety.

Study on the heat flux reconstruction with the infrared thermography for the divertor target plates in the KSTAR tokamak

An infrared (IR) thermography is the preferred diagnostic that can quantify heat flux by measuring the surface temperature distributions of the divertor plates. The IR thermography is successfully instrumented on Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR). In this study, finite volume method is considered to solve the heat conduction equations. 1D-, 2D-, and 3D models are developed and compared with various calculation algorithms, such as Duhamel's theorem and THEODOR. These comparisons show good agreement. In order to acquire more efficient and reliable calculation results, we consider two numerical analysis schemes, influence of temperature on thermal properties and image stabilization. Recently, this reconstruction code is successfully applied to the KSTAR IR thermography.

The influence of sexual harassment on mental health among female military personnel of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces

Introduction

Reports of sexual harassment are becoming more frequent in Republic of Korea (ROK) Armed Forces. This study aimed to analyse the impact of sexual harassment on mental health among female military personnel of the ROK Armed Forces.

Methods

Data from the 2014 Military Health Survey were used. Instances of sexual harassment were recorded as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to compare Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 10 (K-10) scores. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between sexual harassment and K-10 scores.

Results

Among 228 female military personnel, 13 (5.7%) individuals experienced sexual harassment. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that sexual harassment had a significantly negative impact on K-10 scores (3.486, p<0.04). Higher K-10 scores among individuals experiencing sexual harassment were identified in the unmarried (including never-married) group (6.761, p<0.04), the short-term military service group (12.014, p<0.03) and the group whose length of service was <2 years (11.067, p<0.02).

Conclusions

Sexual harassment has a negative impact on mental health. Factors associated with worse mental health scores included service classification and length of service. The results provide helpful information with which to develop measures for minimising the negative psychological effects from sexual harassment and promoting sexual harassment prevention policy.

Antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities of quercetin-loaded silica nanoparticles

Utilizing the biological activities of compounds by encapsulating natural components in stable nanoparticles is an important strategy for a variety of biomedical and healthcare applications. In this study, quercetin-loaded silica nanoparticles were synthesized using an oil-in-water microemulsion method, which is a suitable system for producing functional nanoparticles of controlled size and shape. The resulting quercetin-loaded silica nanoparticles were spherical, highly monodispersed, and stable in an aqueous system. Superoxide radical scavenging effects were found for the quercetin-loaded silica nanoparticles as well as free quercetin. The quercetin-loaded silica nanoparticles showed cell viability comparable to that of the controls. The amounts of proinflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages, such as interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, were reduced significantly for the quercetin-loaded silica nanoparticles. These results suggest that the antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities of quercetin are maintained after encapsulation in silica. Silica nanoparticles can be used for the effective and stable incorporation of biologically active natural components into composite biomaterials.

Combined effect of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on mortality in patients with newly diagnosed dyslipidemia: A nationwide Korean cohort study from 2002 to 2013

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The study aims to determine whether dyslipidemia patients living in less affluent neighborhood are at a higher risk of mortality compared to those living in more affluent neighborhoods.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A population-based cohort study was conducted using a stratified representative sampling from the National Health Insurance claim data from 2002 to 2013. The target subjects comprise patients newly diagnosed with dyslipidemia receiving medication. We performed a survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model. Of 11,946 patients with dyslipidemia, 1053 (8.8%) subjects died during the follow-up period. Of the dyslipidemia patients earning a middle-class income, the adjusted HR in less affluent neighborhoods was higher than that in the more affluent neighborhoods compared to the reference category of high individual SES in more affluent neighborhoods (less affluent; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-1.99 vs. more affluent; HR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.20-1.81, respectively). We obtained consistent results in patients with lower income, wherein the adjusted HR in less affluent neighborhoods was higher than that in more affluent neighborhoods (less affluent; HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.16-1.97 vs. more affluent; HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04-1.92, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Living in a less affluent neighborhood contributes to higher mortality among dyslipidemia patients. The individual- and neighborhood-level variables cumulatively affect individuals such that the most at-risk individuals include those having both individual- and neighborhood-level risk factors. These findings raise important clinical and public health concerns and indicate that neighborhood SES approaches should be essentially considered in health-care policies similar to individual SES.

Liver transplantation in Korea: past, present, and future

PURPOSE

This study reviewed the past and present status of liver transplantation (LT) and outlooks for the future of LT in Korea.

METHOD

The first LT in Korea was successfully performed using a deceased donor graft in 1988. Pediatric and adult living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs) were initiated in 1994 and 1997, respectively. From 1988 to 2013, 10,581 LTs were performed at 40 centers, whereas LDLT accounted for 76.5% of all LTs.

RESULTS

In the early 1990s, the deceased organ donation rate was less than 1.5 per million population (PMP) per year, but it increased to 5 PMP beginning in 2008. Despite the increasing number of deceased donor liver transplantations (DDLTs), high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has provoked persistent performance of adult LDLT with technical advancement including middle hepatic vein (MHV) reconstruction of right lobe graft and dual graft LDLT with 1 nationwide donor mortality.

CONCLUSION

The number of LTs in Korea in 2010 was 23.2 PMP (1042 LTs/45 million population), lower than 23.5 PMP of Spain, but higher than 20 PMP of the United States. However, future LT numbers may decrease because of lowering the HBV carrier rate (neonatal HBV universal vaccination began in 1992), new potent anti-HBV agents, and lowest birth rate (1.22 children per family) with a decrease of potential live donors.

Expression pattern analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma tumor markers in viral hepatitis B and C patients undergoing liver transplantation and resection

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to compare the expression patterns of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and proteins induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) and resection at a high-volume single institution.

METHODS

First, 663 liver transplant recipients with HCC were selected. They were divided into hepatitis B virus (HBV) (n = 628) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) groups (n = 35). Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Second, another cohort of 2709 patients who underwent HCC resection included 2258 HBV, 143 HCV, and 308 non-HBV non-HCV (NBNC) patients.

RESULTS

In the transplantation group, pretransplantation AFP level >20 ng/mL was observed in 42.5% of HBV patients and 60% of HCV patients (P = .042). PIVKA-II level >40 mAU/mL was observed in 30.6% of HBV patients and 42.9% of HCV patients (P = .127). In the resection group, a preoperative AFP level >20 ng/mL was observed in 51.7% of HBV patients and 43.3% of HCV patients (P = .052). PIVKA-II level >40 mAU/mL was observed in 59.7% of HBV patients and 56.6% of HCV patients (P = .47). Preoperative AFP level >20 ng/mL and PIVKA-II level >40 mAU/mL were observed in 35.7% and 61% of NBNC patients, respectively. Receiver-operator characteristic curve analyses revealed that the expression pattern of PIVKA-II in patients with elevated AFP level was not predictable and vice versa, regardless of background liver diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that serum AFP and PIVKA-II may be expressed variably regardless of the types of background liver disease. Further large-volume multicenter studies are needed to evaluate the possibility of the etiology-dependent expression of tumor markers.

Rapid detection of 6×-histidine-labeled recombinant proteins by immunochromatography using dye-labeled cellulose nanobeads

A rapid and easy immunochromatography assay using dye-labeled cellulose nanobeads (CNBs) was developed to detect proteins with hexa-histidine tag (His-tag) to characterize recombinant proteins during purification. Recombinant ATG8 protein was used as a His-tagged protein, and ATG8-conjugated CNBs (A-CNBs) were prepared. The original ATG8 in the sample solution competed with A-CNBs for anti-His-tag antibodies spotted on to the strip resulting in an inverse relationship between ATG8 concentration and the colorimetric signal. The usefulness of this method was shown by adding ATG8 to a 1% Escherichia coli extract. In addition, this assay can be used to detect other His-tagged proteins without protein-specific antibodies. Because the identification of fractions containing His-tagged proteins by western blotting or ELISA is labor-intensive and expensive, our method provides an efficient and cheaper alternative.

Quasi 3D ECE imaging system for study of MHD instabilities in KSTAR

A second electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) system has been installed on the KSTAR tokamak, toroidally separated by 1/16th of the torus from the first ECEI system. For the first time, the dynamical evolutions of MHD instabilities from the plasma core to the edge have been visualized in quasi-3D for a wide range of the KSTAR operation (B0 = 1.7∼3.5 T). This flexible diagnostic capability has been realized by substantial improvements in large-aperture quasi-optical microwave components including the development of broad-band polarization rotators for imaging of the fundamental ordinary ECE as well as the usual 2nd harmonic extraordinary ECE.

Upgrades of imaging x-ray crystal spectrometers for high-resolution and high-temperature plasma diagnostics on EAST

Upgrade of the imaging X-ray crystal spectrometers continues in order to fulfill the high-performance diagnostics requirements on EAST. For the tangential spectrometer, a new large pixelated two-dimensional detector was deployed on tokamaks for time-resolved X-ray imaging. This vacuum-compatible detector has an area of 83.8 × 325.3 mm(2), a framing rate over 150 Hz, and water-cooling capability for long-pulse discharges. To effectively extend the temperature limit, a double-crystal assembly was designed to replace the previous single crystals for He-like argon line measurement. The tangential spectrometer employed two crystal slices attached to a common substrate and part of He- and H-like Ar spectra could be recorded on the same detector when crystals were chosen to have similar Bragg angles. This setup cannot only extend the measurable Te up to 10 keV in the core region, but also extend the spatial coverage since He-like argon ions will be present in the outer plasma region. Similarly, crystal slices for He-like iron and argon spectra were adopted on the poloidal spectrometer. Wavelength calibration for absolute rotation velocity measurement will be studied using cadmium characteristic L-shell X-ray lines excited by plasma radiation. A Cd foil is placed before the crystal and can be inserted and retracted for in situ wavelength calibration. The Geant4 code was used to estimate X-ray fluorescence yield and optimize the thickness of the foil.

Wavelength calibration of x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer on Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak

The wavelength calibration of x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer is a key issue for the measurements of plasma rotation. For the lack of available standard radiation source near 3.95 Å and there is no other diagnostics to measure the core rotation for inter-calibration, an indirect method by using tokamak plasma itself has been applied on joint Texas experimental tokamak. It is found that the core toroidal rotation velocity is not zero during locked mode phase. This is consistent with the observation of small oscillations on soft x-ray signals and electron cyclotron emission during locked-mode phase.

Performance of select color-difference formulas in the blue region

The main objective of this work was to test the performance of major formulas for assessment of small suprathreshold color differences in the blue region. The models examined include CIELAB color space based equations, including CIELAB, CIE94, CIEDE2000, CMC (l:c), BFD (l:c), and formulas based on more uniform color spaces, such as DIN99d, CAM02-SCD, CAM02-UCS, OSA-GP, and OSA-Eu in comparison against data obtained via visual assessments. For this purpose, a dataset around the CIE high-chroma blue color center, hereafter called NCSU-B2, was developed. The NCSU-B2 dataset comprised 65 textile substrates and a standard, with a mean ΔE(ab)* color difference of 2.72, ranging from 0.54-5.72. Samples were visually assessed by 26 subjects against the reference gray scale in three separate trials with at least 24 h between assessments. A total of 5070 assessments were obtained. The standardized residual sum of squares (STRESS) index was used to examine the performance of various formulas for this dataset, as well as a previously developed NCSU-B1 low-chroma blue dataset [Color Res. Appl. 36, 27, 2011], and blue centers from other established visual datasets. Results show that formulas based on more recent uniform color spaces provide better agreement with perceptual data compared with models based on CIELAB space.

Toroidal mode number estimation of the edge-localized modes using the KSTAR 3-D electron cyclotron emission imaging system

A new and more accurate technique is presented for determining the toroidal mode number n of edge-localized modes (ELMs) using two independent electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) systems in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device. The technique involves the measurement of the poloidal spacing between adjacent ELM filaments, and of the pitch angle α* of filaments at the plasma outboard midplane. Equilibrium reconstruction verifies that α* is nearly constant and thus well-defined at the midplane edge. Estimates of n obtained using two ECEI systems agree well with n measured by the conventional technique employing an array of Mirnov coils.

A pilot study on the safety and efficacy of generic mycophenolate agent as conversion maintenance therapy in stable liver transplant recipients

PURPOSE

The patent covering mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in Korea has expired and, thus, several generic MMF agents are now commercially available. The supply of Cellcept (Roche Korea) was interrupted at the end of 2011, so it was inevitable that a generic MMF would be used instead. During this period, we performed a prospective pilot study to examine the safety and efficacy of a generic mycophenolate agent (Myconol: Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Seoul Korea) for use as conversion maintenance therapy in stable liver transplantation (OLT) recipients.

METHODS

OLT recipients, who were treated with MMF on an outpatient basis from January 2012 to March 2012, attended follow-up interviews conducted. The patients had undergone OLT ≥ 2 years before the study, had tolerated Cellcept, and showed stable liver function. Fifty-three patients were followed up for more than 3 months after conversion to the same dose of Myconol.

RESULTS

After conversion to Myconol, 6 patients (11.3%) experienced new side effects, which disappeared when they reverted to Cellcept (n = 5) or stopped taking Myconol medication (n = 1). The side effects associated with Myconol included gastrointestinal symptoms (indigestion and diarrhea; n = 3), skin eruptions (n = 1), pruritus (n = 1), and insomnia (n = 1). The mean mycophenolic acid levels were 1.71 ± 0.88 μg/mL for Cellcept and 1.83 ± 0.91 μg/mL for Myconol, which showed a strong correlation (r(2) = 0.92, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Myconol showed similar pharmacokinetics to those of Celcept, but a small proportion of patients experienced agent-specific side effects; therefore, patients should be closely monitored when taking Myconol. Also, further studies, with a greater number of patients, are required to identify the full spectrum of drug-associated side effects.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe alphitoides on Japanese Snailseed (Cocculus trilobus) in Korea

Japanese snailseed (Cocculus trilobus DC.) has been known as a medicinal herb to treat dieresis, rheumatoid arthritis, and dropsy. In September 2011, severe powdery signs were found on several Japanese snailseed plants near Andong, Korea. Diseased leaves showed chlorotic or necrotic lesions, along with leaf distortion and senescence. Diseased leaves were associated with a fungus that resulted in what appeared to be white colonies, predominately associated with the upper leaf surfaces, and rarely on the lower surfaces. The colonies increased in size and coalesced, subsequently covering the entire surface. The fungus-produced chasmothecia were 92 to 123 μm in diameter, blackish brown, and had a depressed, globose shape. Each chasmothecium had approximately 8 to 12 appendages that were straight to mildly bent, and were four to six times dichotomously branched and often entwined. There were three to six asci per chasmothecium, 38 to 57 × 32 to 43 μm in size, each of which held six to eight ascospores. Conidiophores were single or sometimes two on a hyphal cell, arising from the upper part of mother cells, mostly positioned central, 6.5 to 8 μm with width. Conidiophores were erect and up to 150.5 μm long. Conidia were ellipsoidal or sometimes lemon-shaped. The conidial size was 31.5 to 40 × 19 to 24.5 μm with length/width. These morphological characteristics were identified as being similar to Erysiphe alphitoides (1). DNA was extracted from collected hyphae of infected leaves using the NucleoSpin Tissue Kit (Macherey-Nagel, Duren, Germany). The ITS region of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS5 and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. KF734882). The isolate (APEC-F1203) was 99% homologous to other E. alphitoides isolates from oak trees in Japan (AB292704, AB292699, AB292697, and AB292701) and Europe (EF672350, AJ417497). In Korea, this fungus is an oak tree pathogen (2). As proof of pathogenicity, infected leaves having abundant sporulation were pressed onto leaves of five healthy plants. Inoculated and non-inoculated plants were incubated in a moist chamber for 48 h and then maintained in a greenhouse at 15 to 22°C. After 10 to 12 days, powdery mildew colonies developed on inoculated plants. Uninoculated control plants did not show powdery mildew. Microscopic observation of the pathogen growing on the inoculated plants revealed that it was the same as the original fungus. We also observed powdery mildews on oak tree leaves around Japanese snailseed and analyzed their ITS sequences with the above-mentioned methods. As a result, the ITS sequences of powdery mildew pathogens obtained from Japanese snailseed and oak tree were identical. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of E. alphitoides on Japanese snailseed in Korea. This fungus has been reported in association with numerous oak (Quercus spp.) species in Korea, showing that it may be a potential source of inoculum in Japanese snailseed. References: (1) S. Takamatsu et al. British Mycol. Res. 111:809. 2007. (2) S. H. Yu. List of Plant Diseases in Korea, 5th ed. The Korean Society of Plant Pathology, 2009.

Upgraded high time-resolved x-ray imaging crystal spectroscopy system for J-TEXT ohmic plasmas

This paper presents the upgraded x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) system on Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak (J-TEXT) tokamak and the latest experimental results obtained in last campaign. With 500 Hz frame rate of the new Pilatus detector and 5 cm × 10 cm spherically bent crystal, the XICS system can provide core electron temperature (Te), core ion temperature (Ti), and plasma toroidal rotation (VΦ) with a maximum temporal resolution of 2 ms for J-TEXT pure ohmic plasmas. These parameters with high temporal resolution are very useful in tokamak plasma research, especially for rapidly changed physical processes. The experimental results from the upgraded XICS system are presented.

Toward more than 400 liver transplantations a year at a single center

BACKGROUND

For the first time at Asan Medical Center (AMC) we performed more than 400 liver transplantations (LTs) per year in 2011, despite same number of living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs).

METHODS

Our OLT program was started in 1992, but not activated well due to the scarcity of deceased donor organs. Since adult LDLTs using a left lobe and then a right lobe were successfully performed in 1997, we have developed several innovative techniques and approaches for adult LDLT, for example, modified right-lobe graft reconstructing middle hepatic branches in 1998, dual graft LDLT using 2 left lobes in 2000; new criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); as well as ABO-incompatible LDLT, the first in the world. As a result, the number of LDLTs has increased rapidly but reached a plateau recently. Nationwide efforts to promote deceased donation increased the number of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT).

RESULTS

We have performed 317 LDLTs per year in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The number of LTs reached 403 in 2011. This large number was possible due to a remarkable increase of DDLTs from 50 in 2010 to 86 in 2011. Seventy-nine patients (68.1%) among 116 patients (28.8%) required an urgent LT receiving a DDLT. LT for HCC or ABO-mismatch comprised 50.3% (n = 150) or 8.7% (n = 35), respectively. In-hospital mortality rate in 2011 was 4.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased LTs number at AMC was aided by the nationwide campaign.

Rotational resonance of nonaxisymmetric magnetic braking in the KSTAR tokamak

One of the important rotational resonances in nonaxisymmetric neoclassical transport has been experimentally validated in the KSTAR tokamak by applying highly nonresonant n=1 magnetic perturbations to rapidly rotating plasmas. These so-called bounce-harmonic resonances are expected to occur in the presence of magnetic braking perturbations when the toroidal rotation is fast enough to resonate with periodic parallel motions of trapped particles. The predicted and observed resonant peak along with the toroidal rotation implies that the toroidal rotation in tokamaks can be controlled naturally in favorable conditions to stability, using nonaxisymmetric magnetic perturbations.

Apparent treatment-resistant hypertension among elderly Korean hypertensives: an insight from the HIT registry

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and predictors among elderly Korean hypertensives. This prospective, multi-center, observational study evaluated 2439 elderly hypertensive patients between December 2008 and November 2011, who visited secondary hypertension clinics for high blood pressure (BP). Patients were categorized as resistant if their BP was ≥140/90 mm Hg and if they reported using antihypertensive medications from three different drug classes, including a diuretic or drugs from ≥4 antihypertensive drug classes, regardless of BP. Characteristics of patients with RH were compared with those of patients who were controlled with one or two antihypertensive medications after 6-month antihypertensive treatment. In comparison with 837 patients with non-RH, 404 patients with RH were more likely to be aware of their status of high BP before enrollment and have a high baseline systolic BP ≥160 mm Hg, microalbuminuria, high body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg m(-2) and diabetes mellitus (DM). In drug-naive patients, awareness of hypertension at baseline was the only independent predictor for RH. In elderly Korean hypertensives, BMI (≥24 kg m(-2)), baseline systolic BP (≥160 mm Hg), microalbuminuria, DM and awareness of hypertension showed an association with RH.

First Report of Cane and Leaf Rust on Rubus fruticosus Caused by Kuehneola uredinis in Korea

In September 2011, we observed a rust disease affecting about 90% of the leaves of several Rubus fruticosus L. plants at Andong (36°32'12.4″ N, 128°47'20.1″ E), Korea. Pustule formation occurred on cane surfaces and on the undersurfaces of leaves, with yellowing, reddening, and necrosis on the corresponding upper leaf surface. Leaf distortion and senescence also occurred. For light and scanning electron microscopy, uredinia were detached from leaf lesions using a razor blade and then mounted in water without staining. Leaves with lesions were prepared by gold sputtering and then observed by SEM (Hitachi S-2500C microscope, Japan). We observed the development of uredinial colonies with abundant sporulation. The echinulate urediniospores, which were 16.3 to 19.8 × 17.5 to 25.3 μm, were yellowish or occasionally pale brown, with a globose or subglobose shape (2). Telia were a floccose and pale yellowish-buff or almost white. Teliospores were four- to seven-celled. Cells were trapezoid-cylindric, 15 to 40 × 14 to 24 μm, with hyaline walls. Cell wall surface was smooth but often bearing coronate projections or bumps at the top (in apical cells) or upper rim (in intercalary cells). Cell wall thickness was about 0.5 μm at the sides and 2 to 4 μm at the apex; apical pores occurred on short cell-wall projections. Teliospore pedicels were short (0.17 to 1.34 × 0.78 to 1.45 μm), hyaline, and fragile (3). The pathogen was identified as Kuehneola uredinis L. on the basis of morphology (3), and this identification was confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. ITS rDNA of the fungus was amplified using the ITS1 and ITS4 primer set (ITS1: 5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3', ITS4: 5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3'). BLAST analysis of the PCR product showed that the sequence shared 99% identity with the published nucleotide sequences for K. uredinis (Accession No. EU14069). The D1/D2 domain of 28S rDNA was amplified by PCR using the primer pair 5'-ACCCGCTGAAYTTAAGCATAT-3' and 5'-CTTCCTTGGTCCGTGTTTCAAGACGG-3' (1). Phylogenetic analysis using 28S rDNA sequences identified the causal fungus as K. uredinis. The identity of the fungus was confirmed as K. uredinis by DNA sequencing; the sequence was 99% similar to that of other K. uredinis (AF426218, AY745696, DQ354551, and GU058013). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an outbreak of cane and leaf rust on Rubus fruticosus Linné caused by K. uredinis in Korea. References: (1) V. der Auwera et al. FEBS Microbiol. Lett. 338:133, 1994. (2) D. E. Gardner. Plant Dis. 67:963, 1983. (3) G. F. Laundon and A. F. Rainbow. CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria 202:1, 1969.

First Report of Branch Dieback of Walnut Caused by Neofusicoccum parvum in Korea

Walnut (Juglans sinensis Dode) is an economically important tree in the world, both for its wood and its fruit. Walnut fruits, as rich sources of omega-3 essential fatty acid, are valuable nutritionally. Consumer interest in Korea for walnuts has increased in recent years, and production has increased to 1,042 ha with the Kyoungbuk region consisting of 402 ha (2). In May 2012, lethal dieback disease of walnut tree was detected in two orchards in Andong, Kyoungbuk region, Korea, each with an incidence of 25 to 30%. Disease symptoms included blight and dieback of the stems, flowing resin, dark decay inside the bark of dead twigs, and defoliation. The bark of dead twigs was removed and sliced thinly using a razor blade, and water-mounted, without staining, for observation of fungal structures, if present. Pycnidia were found embedded within the bark of dead twigs and conidia were mostly characterized by fusoid, hyaline, smooth, thin-walled, unicellular and 16.25 to 21.25 μm long and 4.37 to 6.87 μm wide. These characteristics are consistent with those reported previously for Neofusicoccum parvum (Pennycook & Samuels) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips (1). Diseased branch tissues collected from the two locations were surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl, rinsed with sterile distilled water, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The fungal isolates, recovered from the two different orchards, produced white, aerial mycelium and became light gray within a week after incubating plates at 25°C. To confirm the identities of the isolates, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA of the fungi was amplified and sequenced using PCR. The sequences were compared with other DNA sequences in the GenBank database, using a BLAST search. BLAST analysis of the PCR product showed that the sequence had 99% identity with the nucleotide sequences for N. parvum (JQ411396.1 and GU997688.1). Additionally, the chitin synthase 1 gene was sequenced and analyzed using the BLAST server. The sequence of PCR product had 100% identity with the nucleotide sequences of N. parvum strain CMW9080 chitin synthase 1 gene (EU339501). Thus, both morphological and molecular characters confirmed this species as N. parvum. Pathogenecity tests were performed by inoculating 2-year-old J. sinensis trees. Inoculations consisted of inserting 5-mm-diamter agar plug bearing fresh mycelium of the fungal isolates into the wounds. Within 2 weeks, black lesions appeared on all inoculated plants accompanied by defoliation, whereas no symptoms were observed in the control plants. N. parvum has been reported a member of Botryosphaeriaceae, commonly associated with dieback and cankers of woody plants (1). To our knowledge, this study is the first report of N. parvum as a pathogen of Juglans sinensis in Korea. References: (1) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 55:235, 2006. (2) Statistics Korea. Forest Households by Growing Area of Walnut/Total Area. 2010.

Comparison of 2 retrieval devices for heartworm removal in 52 dogs with heavy worm burden

BACKGROUND

For treating dogs with heavy heartworm infection, mechanical removal using various retrieval devices is useful. However, the efficacy and safety of retrieval devices have rarely been studied.

HYPOTHESIS

Catheter-based heartworm removal using 2 retrieval devices (basket and tripod grasping forceps) is efficient and safe for treating dogs with heavy worm burden.

ANIMALS

Fifty-two client-owned dogs with heavy (Class III and IV) worm burden.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 52 dogs, using a catheter-based heartworm removal approach using 2 types of retrieval devices (ie, the basket and the tripod grasping forceps). The efficacy and complications associated with the 2 devices were assessed.

RESULTS

The basket device was used on 22 of the study group dogs, and the tripod grasping forceps was used on 30 of the dogs. The postoperative survival rate was 95.5% for the basket device and 80% for the tripod grasping forceps, but the difference was not statistically significant. The worm number captured per attempt was 3.5 ± 1.7 using the basket device and 1.9 ± 0.85 for the tripod grasping forceps (P < .05). Various complications associated with heartworm removal were noticed with both retrieval devices.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This study suggests that catheter-based heartworm removal is not only a relatively safe and efficient therapeutic method in dogs with heavy worm burden, but more efficient using the basket device. Our data do not indicate a clear safety advantage between the 2 devices evaluated, although the survival rate was numerically higher in dogs undergoing a basket intervention.